As a warming ambiance of the lobby welcomes us, the big painting in front sets our

expectations at a much higher level. As soon as we entered the building, the warm golden
light that radiated from every dim corner made the foyer feel welcoming and peaceful. It's not
just any average lobby; it's the one that proudly displays the most amazing and fascinating
work of art created by the artistic hands of batangueño. The museum that displays the finest
art among the rest is a large area which contains different types of art showcasing the richness
in history, culture, and beliefs of our province. Later on that day, we learned that the museum
we're standing at is the mansion founded by former Gov. Feliciano ‘Sanoy’ Leviste in the
year 1958 which is called as Bahay Kumintang and later called as Governor’s Mansion. It is
considered as a mansion because it is indeed huge and elegant white house, which is a
product of creative mind of Arch. Cresenciano De Castro. Added to this, people often pay
visit to our former governor to seek help and assistance so it was later called as People's
Mansion. 35 years after, former Gov. Vicente Mayo converted the Peoples’ Mansion into
Museo of Batangas and displays lots of collections of arts to feature the richness of our
province. Even though in the year 2018, the museum was opened for public visit at the behest
of our Gov. Hermilando ‘Dodo’ Mandanas, it was later on closed due to Covid- 19. Since
then, the policies and protocols tighten up. Fortunately, in 25th day of April, first year students
were given the privileged to traverse such artistry.
During the tour's over an hour duration, our class witness the creativity of
Batangueños in every category. Through the preservation of art that demonstrate how the
Batangueños culture has endured through the ages, it highlights the Batangueños spirit that
has animated the fields of every aspect of life: studies, history, traditions, inventions and
many more. In addition to this, the aforementioned public museum also has a collection of
antiquities from Batangas and other provinces in the Southern Tagalog Region. Additionally,
it is a facility dedicated to preserving Batangas' rich cultural heritage which were influenced
by different colonizers. Our team drew the conclusion that this is an unforgettable experience
rather than merely a routine voyage through the realm of art.
Bulwagan ng Limang Diwang Batangueño
Our tour begins in the first room that showcases the characteristics of a batangueño
which is the five K: Karunungan, Kagandahan, Katapangan, Kagitingan and Kasipagan. We
we're stunned by the bed placed at the center of the room which later on explained by our
tour guide that it is a squash bed due to its design. We were also drawn in by the elegant
styles of the weaved gowns with the vibrant beads and accessories. It features the gorgeous
women from our province, Batangas. Speaking of Batangas, the chamber also showcases the
greatest agricultural inventions, such as the plow, mortar and pestle, maize grinder, etc., since
farming has historically been the most prominent occupation. As we looked on the other
sides, we witnessed the most impressive works in literature which are the handwritten letter,
books, and stories. There are also little figurine on the other sides and hats. This is just the
first room we saw but we're stunned on how ravishing the whole space is.
Pasilyo Lakbay Sining
As we first enter the halls of the Museo we are welcomed by the different paintings
hanging on the walls, each having their own story and background within them. Most of the
paintings tackles the topic of the events upon the eruption of the taal volcano around 2020.
Each paintings captivating our soul towards their magnificent imagination. This further
explained that each artist of such paintings having their own uniqueness varying every artists
art style from one another. With such, they we're able to really convert their message and
emotions towards the paintings making is viewers felt the message embedded with in being
able to be analyze clearly, we can conclude that it was a sight to see. The tour guide makes
clear that the government holds an annual painting competition, and the winning entry is
entitled to be hung on the wall among other legendary works of art. Some of us are motivated
by this to improve and compete in the future with a passion and motivation that propels us
forward toward our goals. Paintings can speak to individuals because they contain millions of
words in a single image, making them significant and excellent therapists.
Bulwagan ng Subli
Astonishing, cheerful, energetic: different ways to describe the next room we
explored as we entered in the joyous pictures of festival which the Batangas are proudly
presenting not just in our province but also in the whole country, the Sublian Festival.
Batangas Festivals, Feast & Traditions. Subli-an sa Batangas, it is held in line with the city’s
Foundation Day. The festival, a brainchild of the Batangas City Cultural Affairs Board, aims
to revive the centuries old tradition of dancing the Subli, a dance indigenous to Batangas. The
festival has evolved to include street dancing. Its people are fans of celebrations, and tourists
from around the world are visiting the province to experience their parties and exciting
activities.
Visual arts that sitting in the corners and in middle of the room surprised us with its

splendid design. The art itself portrays different thoughts about the Sublian Festival which

gives us a better understanding of the festival. As we were examining the area, the textual

script on the wall provided us with some brief yet detailed information on Subli. It includes
imagery that help us imagine the beauty of the festival is as well as a mannequin dressed in

"barong at saya" and, of course, adorned subli hats to represent Batangueño attributes and

customs. Apart from that, it is apparent that the holy cross that is displayed in the center is the

one that matters most since subli is a dance in honor of it.

Bulwagan ng Pitong sining

Onto the next room that we gather we can see different art forms as well as the culture

of Batangas. Being able to observe the arts and culture that define us as Batanguenos is an

honor. The tour guide in front of us introduces the Batangas folk dances with delight. Dancer

and choreographer Gener Arguelles Caringal is from Ibaan, Batangas. It has been stated he

directs several dancing organizations in the Philippines. One of the groups that is well-known

not only in the Philippines but even outside is Sining Kumintang ng Batangas. In the field of

Theater, Dennis Marasigan is introduced to us as a experienced theater, director, writer,

designer, actor, producer, and mentor. While Mr. Luisito T. Nario formed Lipa Actors

Company (LAC), the most promising theater company in the area. Conching Rosal is

regarded as one of the Philippines' greatest sopranos as we advance in the art of music. She is

known for her songs Ang Maya, Mutya ng Pasig, Ibong Sawi, and others. Batanguenos used

comintang as a means of self-expression. In a while, it is recognized as a national anthem of

tagalog in 1900s. Oscar Yatro is a violinist. He became the first violin of Manila Symphony

Orchestra and also become a music director of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra. Our

guide also highlighted Ryan P. Cayabyab. Calatagan Pot was referred to in literature as a

significant item because of its distinctive appearance. We were fascinated because it is also

claimed that the meaning of the writings surrounding the hole is still unknown to this day.

Bienvenido Lumbera, who paved the road for literature not just in the Batangas province but
throughout the entire nation, was named a national artist for literature in 2006. It is said in

architecture that each ancestral home is carefully preserved as a sign of respect for its

ancestor. Due to their cultural, architectural, or historical value, several have been turned into

museums. Moving on, the visual arts in the room are well done. One of the most well-known

sculptors in the Philippines is Ramon Orlina. He is regarded as the founder of glass sculpture.

The last one is media art, Leo Martinez was introduced to us. He is the director general of the

Philippine Film Academy, which indicates us that Batanguenos won't be left out of the

media. El Gamma Penumbra and Avelino K Rieta was also mentioned. All of this took place

in a single room with a bustling atmosphere. Despite the fact that there were many of us in

the room, we could all see the artworks simultaneously.

Bulwagan ng Kalinangan

In this chamber you can see the wealth of customs, traditions, beliefs, celebrations and

equipment in the daily life of the Batangueños. The things that can be seen are examples of

colonial influence furniture and they can be compared to beautiful furniture and furniture

from other countries.

Tanghalan ng Kalinangan

GOVERNANCE
The governors and other notable Batangas residents filled the last room we visited.
They are presented in viewers using their own pictures, years of governance, and their
contribution in Batangas. They all play a part in development and innovations in our province
but some of them caught our attentions. First, Galaciano Apacible was the first governor
chosen by the villagers who was a medical professional, famous figure, and wealthy who
propagated against Spanish misrule. Fortunato Borbon was credited as the first civil governor
of Batangas on the restoration of the Philippine Commonwealth. He helped reorganized the
local government and constructed the Borbon Boulevard (Sta. Clara–Sta. Rita Danglayan).
He participated in the local government's reorganization and helped build the Borbon
Boulevard (Sta. Clara-Sta. Rita Danglayan). The next character is Feliciano Leviste, a
sympathetic and devoted husband as well as the enemy of the evil. He is in charge of his
household and enjoys making jokes. Community development's founding father. Next is
Armando Sanchez, followed by Vilma Santos-Recto, the first female governor of Batangas,
and our own governor, Gov. Hermilando Mandanas, among many others. After our tour, we
are grateful for their contribution to our province.